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Weston Distance Learning Corporate News
Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fort Collins, Colorado – 2007– Weston Distance Learning, Inc., was among the local businesses to be nominated for the 2007 Coloradoan Best in Business awards. Weston was nominated in three categories: Best Place to Work, Innovator of the Year and Start-up Business of the Year. Because Fort Collins is home to more than 6,000 licensed businesses, Weston’s ranking among the 210 award nominees testifies to its people-centered practices. Weston is the parent company of three distance-education schools: At-Home Professions, McKinley College and U.S. Career Institute.
For the 2007 awards, employees and other community members nominated companies in eight categories: Best Corporate Citizen, Best Place to Work, Business Leader of the Year, Family or Small Business of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Rising Business Star and Start-up Business of the Year. A panel of 14 community and business leaders decided on the winners in each category. In announcing the 2007 winners, Fort Collins Coloradoan business editor Pat Ferrier wrote that the year’s nominees “share a common philosophy: Make work fun [and] treat your people right and you’ll have happy, dedicated employees who do great work.”
“We’re gratified that so many people took time to nominate Weston and put us in the running for these prestigious awards,” said Weston president Ann Rohr. Rohr sees the nominations as validation of the company’s efforts to make Weston a great place to work. “We’re always looking for ways to support our staff,” said Rohr. “Employees who feel appreciated do their best.”
Weston’s award nominations reflect its efforts to recruit and retain a dynamic team. In particular, the company has ramped up its efforts to promote employee wellness, staff involvement in the community and staff camaraderie. For example, to promote employee wellness, Weston sponsored a 12-week lifestyle challenge program that resulted in 63 employees losing almost five pounds each and 70 employees doubling their weekly physical activity from two to four hours. To encourage staff involvement in the community, Weston alerts the staff to current nonprofit volunteer needs. It also compensates employees for some hours spent in community service. To bolster staff camaraderie, Weston sponsors seasonal parties and periodic lunch-n-learn sessions at which an employee can share expertise in an area of interest such as car maintenance, jewelry making or digital photography. The company also livens things up with special events such as an annual chili cook-off, a jack-o-lantern carving contest, Thanksgiving turkey bingo and Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day.
“When it comes to giving our students excellent service, we’re serious,” says Weston president Rohr. “But we never forget that our employees are people. Work shouldn’t be drudgery. By keeping our workplace human, we help our staff stay motivated.”
Weston Distance Learning, Inc. (Fort Collins, Colorado) is the parent company overseeing operations of three distance education schools: At-Home Professions, McKinley College and U.S. Career Institute. The schools enroll students throughout the country. Weston courses prepare students to work in more than 25 fields that offer solid job prospects and earning potential. Currently, Weston is launching a new distance education course every few months. Its state approval is issued by the Colorado Department of Education’s Division of Private Occupational Schools. Each course is accredited through the nationally recognized Distance Education and Training Council. To learn more about Weston Distance Learning, visit http://www.westondistancelearning.com.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Ann Rohr, please call marketing director Kevin White at (800) 347-7899 or email Kevin at KevinW@westondistancelearning.com.
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